NRF Urges Senate Support for the Marketplace Fairness Act

Bill would level the playing field for all retailers

May 06, 2013 10:44 AM Eastern Daylight Time

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The National
Retail Federation – the world’s largest retail trade association –
today distributed a letter
to members of the U.S. Senate urging them to support local retailers and
small business owners by approving S.743, the Marketplace Fairness Act,
which is scheduled for a Senate vote on Monday evening. In the letter,
NRF labeled votes on the Marketplace Fairness Act as key votes.

“The Marketplace Fairness Act is a commonsense piece of legislation
necessary to modernize and streamline our federal and state
understanding of sales tax laws so that they can keep current with real
world change in the marketplace,” said NRF Senior Vice President David
French in the letter.

“As the retail industry evolves and digital commerce becomes a more
prominent portion of total retail sales, it is critical that the tax
laws not discriminate between businesses based on how their products are
distributed,” French said.

“This collection disparity has tilted the competitive landscape against
local stores, creating a crisis for brick-and-mortar retailers around
the country and in your state,” French said. “The Marketplace Fairness
Act addresses the crisis by removing the constitutional limitation on
states’ authority to collect sales tax from out-of-state sellers.”

“Leveling the playing field will create a business climate where
retailers have a better opportunity to grow and create jobs in a truly
competitive and fair marketplace,” he said.

As the world’s largest retail trade association and the voice of retail
worldwide, NRF represents retailers of all types and sizes, including
chain restaurants and industry partners, from the United States and more
than 45 countries abroad. Retailers operate more than 3.6 million U.S.
establishments that support one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working
Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily
barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign
highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how
retailers strengthen communities at home and abroad, and the critical
role that retail plays in driving innovation. www.nrf.com